The Hornets will have to operate without LaMelo Ball for the remainder of the season after the star point guard suffered a significant ankle injury, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports.
Ball will miss the remainder of the 2022–23 campaign after fracturing his right ankle in Monday night’s game against the Pistons. Soon after the injury occurred, Charlotte announced the severity of the 21-year-old’s condition, indicating that the fracture was likely to render the young star out for a significant period of time.
Ball had already battled multiple left ankle sprains this season, but injured his right ankle while attempting a dribble move during Monday’s game. With the Hornets holding a 72–54 lead, the former Rookie of the Year fell awkwardly to ground without being touched and went straight back to the locker room after the play.
The confirmation of the severe injury will bring an end to a special year for Ball. In his third NBA season, the former No. 3 pick and 2022 Eastern Conference All-Star averaged career-highs in points (23.4) and assists (8.5) per game.
Despite Ball’s best efforts, the Hornets are 20–43 on the year. Still 9.5 games behind the Wizards for the final spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, Charlotte will likely find itself drafting in the lottery once again this summer.
